A Happy and Healthy Year - Jan 1, 2023

We often take the opportunity in the New Year to reflect on the year past, our loved ones we have lost and our families we hold dear. We consider our future, changes we wish to make, and ultimately give thanks for what we have.

For the Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust, we consider past and future similarly, and thank you all for your support throughout 2022, those who plan events or fundraisers for 2022. We wish to ensure anyone who may need help knows we are here in confidence to support individuals and families in the community. We reinforce this message to you all.

We know we are so fortunate to live in rural areas and belong to a community which values and are the true custodian of the countryside. We also know this comes at a cost in various ways and some of us are more vulnerable to adversity through lack of services, housing and just money in our pockets.

We know that there are those who do not understand our way of life and do their utmost to disrupt our daily lives, our fundamental rights to live and work and the traditions we hold dear.

We are adapting to change, whilst retaining our dignity, our care of the environment, the wildlife and ultimately each other. The game handed out to hundreds in small communities, the keepers who visit schools, the care shown in bereavement and ill health is testament to basic values and looking ahead to the future.

We hope that you will all help us to do our utmost to help those who may need support by telling us, in confidence. Demands on the NHS is well known, and we are doing our utmost through the Nurse Advice Clinics – use it in confidence if you are concerned for your health, have had an accident or whatever it may be.

We will be out and about in 2023 and look forward to meeting you and thank you all for your support – you have been superb, and we are so grateful.

Helen